public policy

[ puhb-lik pol-uh-see ]

noun

1. 1. the body of laws and other measures that affect the general public:

      These officeholders are creating public policy on important issues including affordable housing and the environment.

   2. the underlying principles, values, or objectives that inform these laws and other measures: In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

      The Institute participates in shaping public debate and public policy through inquiry and dialogue.

      In a secular state, no religion can become the basis of public policy.

2. Law. the principle that injury to the public good or public order constitutes a basis for declaring an act or transaction illegal or invalid:

   The principle of public policy requires that we judge the tendency of the contract at the time when it was entered into.

Word History and Origins

Origin of public policy¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Ozoma gained national recognition last year when she and Aerica Shimizu Banks publicly alleged that they had been victims of racial discrimination at Pinterest, where they were employed as public policy officials.

From Washington Post

Local opinion isn’t set in stone, and can be softened by public policies.

From Popular-Science

Vázquez was the director of public policy at the LGBT Community Center in New York City from 1994-2003.

From Washington Blade

Marchant ruled that the legislative action showed a clear change in public policy regarding the statue.

From Washington Post

A problem solver who worked for the Clinton and Obama administrations, she then served as a public policy head at Facebook.

From Ozy

I believe in the power of institutions—Congress, public policy, certain ideas about politics—that last for a long time.

From The Daily Beast

According to the non-partisan Public Policy Institute, California has the highest poverty rate in the nation.

From The Daily Beast

Two polls, one sponsored by USA Today, the other by Public Policy Polling, showed no gender gap in Kentucky.

From The Daily Beast

For a mere generation, UK-wide public policy had matched the notion of Scottish egalitarianism, at least moderately.

From The Daily Beast

[Public policy has] got to be based on science, and we need more of it.

From The Daily Beast

It is difficult to over-estimate the harm that has been done to public policy by this same Malthusian theory.

From Project Gutenberg

It is against public policy to allow one person to have insurance on the life of another without his knowledge.

From Project Gutenberg

Pitt had asked for assurances on matters of public policy; they made stipulations which chiefly concerned persons.

From Project Gutenberg

The tenant remained in possession of the land without the means of tilling it, which was opposed to public policy.

From Project Gutenberg

Thucydides was ostracized, and to the end of his life, Pericles reigned the undisputed master of the public policy of Athens.

From Project Gutenberg